SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 09/10/07 -- As the California legislative session winds down this week, there is still a great deal more to accomplish. Catholic Healthcare West (CHW) supports Governor Schwarzenegger's call for a special legislative session to achieve comprehensive healthcare reform and give the people of California a better future.

"We applaud the continued vision shown by Governor Schwarzenegger, President Pro Tem Perata and Speaker Nunez to make health reform a top priority," said Lloyd Dean, CHW president/chief executive officer. "Our Republican and Democratic state leaders have a rare opportunity to achieve meaningful reform this year and must make the most of it."

Catholic Healthcare West has been fully engaged in California's healthcare reform debate and wholeheartedly supports a comprehensive approach that includes shared responsibility, coverage for all people, a stabilized financing system, a greater focus on quality, and improved accountability.

With 36 hospitals, 37,000 employees and 6,500 physicians in California, Catholic Healthcare West is the state's largest provider of hospital services and the state's largest private provider of Medi-Cal services, caring for people who often have no where else to turn.

"This special session represents a historic opportunity to determine how to improve the health and wellbeing of millions of Californians. If our leaders succeed, this will be a watershed event for the nation," Dean added.

About Catholic Healthcare West

Catholic Healthcare West (CHW) is the eighth largest hospital system in the nation and the largest not-for-profit hospital provider in the West. Founded in 1986, the CHW network of more than 8,500 physicians and approximately 50,000 employees serve a population spanning 22 million people at 42 hospitals across California, Arizona, and Nevada. CHW is committed to delivering compassionate, high-quality, affordable healthcare services with special attention to the poor and underserved. In 2006, CHW provided $803 million in charity care, community benefits, and unreimbursed patient care. For more information, please visit our website at chwHEALTH.org.

Contact:
Carmella Gutierrez
(415) 438-5508